Photographic coding means



March 31, 1970 H. s. ALLEN ET AL 3,503,312

PHOTOGRAPHIC CODING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30, 1966 INVENTORS HORACE s. ALLEN #0 DONALD L. RIGGS ATTORNEY FIG. 3.

March31,1970 H S,ALLEN ETAL 3,503,312

PHOTOGRAPHIC CODING MEANS Filed Dec. 50, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet z' I INVENTORS N HORACE s. ALLEN 0 32 74 DO ALD L. RIGGS ATTOR NEY 31, 1970 s. ALLEN) ET AL 3 ,503,312-

PHOTOGRAPHIC CODING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 50, 1966 88 FIG. 9.

FIG. IO.

NS REG Y OL E m M M m m L o m E D A RA ON HO D V United States Patent 3,503,312 PHOTOGRAPHIC CODING MEANS Horace S. Allen, St. Louis, and Donald L. Briggs,

Florissant, Mo., assignors, by mesne assignments,

to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, St. Louis,

Mo., a corporation of Maryland Filed Dec. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 606,139 Int. 'Cl. G03!) 17/24, 27/52 US. 'CI. 95-11 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates generally to photographic devices and accessories and more particularly to a device for coding images as they are photographed. Many data retrieval devices are in existence and some of these include means for retrieving data contained in rolls of film such as rolls of microfilm. One of the problems inherent in film storage devices is the problem of coding each image as it is photographed in such a way that the coding is simple and accurately located and can easily be sensed by sensing means to locate particular images on a film strip. The coding must also be such that it can provide fairly detailed information about the images so that the images can be identified or described precisely and distinctively. Coding images as they are being photographed heretofore has been tedious, time consuming work and has required considerable skill on the part of the person taking the pictures. Furthermore, known coding means are usually cumbersome and difiicult to use and relatively limited as to the number of available coding positions and for the most part the known and available means are not readily reusable to code other images. These and other disadvantages and shortcomings of known devices for coding photographic images have limited their usefulness and has substantially increased the cost of coding film strips such as microfilm strips used in photographic storage and retrieval systems.

The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages and shortcomings by teaching the construction and operation of relatively simple, completely flexible, accurate means for coding images as they are photographed to facilitate their later retrieval by automatic high speed retrieval equipment. The present means comprise a simple flat bed chassis structure on which an image to be photographed is positioned. The present means also includes means on the chassis adjacent to one or both opposite sides of the image area Where photographically reproducible coding means are provided. The coding means includes means to identify each image to be photographed in as much detail as desired and includes means for quickly and easily changing the "ice coding to identify each new image as it is prepared for photographing. The subject coding means preferably provide color coding located accurately in the area of the image to be photographed.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide improved means for coding images being photographed.

Another object is to provide accurate means for locating color coded symbols used to identify images being photographed on microfilm and the like.

Another object is to provide relatively inexpensive, easy to operate flexible means for coding images on film strips.

Another object is to increase the amount of coded information available to identify images on film strips.

Another object is to provide resuable means for coding images of film strips.

Another object is to increase the usefulness of microfilm storage and retrieval systems.

Another object is to reduce the time required to code images reproduced on film strips.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification which discloses several embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coding device constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the construction of a typical movable coding member employed in the subject device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view showing a portion of the device of FIG. 1 in a partly coded condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the subject device;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing a modified form of the movable coding means and the actuator means therefor;

FIGS. 6-8 are fragmentary side views showing various operating positions of one of the movable coding members in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram of the circuit employed with the modified construction of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top view, similar to the view in FIG. 3, but of the modified device of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, number 12 refers to a coding device for photographically coding images reproduced on film strips such as on microfilm strips used in data storage and retrieval systems. The device 12 has a box-like chassis 14 which includes an upper wall portion 16 defined by a central portion 18 on which an image to be photographed is positioned, and spaced portions identified generally as numbers 20 and 22 which are used to color code the images as they are photographed as will be explained. A transparent panel such as glass panel 24 is hingedly connected to the rear upper edge of the chassis 14 and is movable as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 between a raised or ouen position and a closed position in which it is adjacent to the upper Wall portion 16 of the chassis 14. The panel 24 preferably should be large enough to cover the portions 18, 20 and 22 in the closed condition although in some cases it may be necessary to only cover the portion 18. The construction and operation of the means for color coding the portions 20 and 22 are important to the invention and will be described in detail.

Each of the coding portions 20 and 22 includes an opening formed in the upper wall portion 16, and portions of a plurality of code bar members 26 are visible through these openings. Each of the code bars 26 is movable longitudinally in the chassis 14 by operator means which are part of a code bar operating assembly 28 attached to the right side of the chassis 14. FIG. 2 shows one of the movable coding members 26 and the control means for moving said member. Each code bar 26 is an elongated member of square or rectangular cross-section and a plurality of similar bars are positioned in side-by-side relation inside the chassis 14 immediately below the upper wall panel 16 so that their upper color coded surfaces are adjacent to the openings 20 and 22. The code bars 26 are shorter than the length of the chassis 14 so that they can be moved longitudinally therein, and their upper surfaces are constructed to have two or more different colored portions such as a black body portion 30 and two spaced white or other color portions 32 and 34 (FIG. 2). The right end of the code bar member 26 as shown in FIG. 2 is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 36 which has its opposite end pivotally connected to an operator member 38. The operator member 38 has a knob portion 40 on its upper end and its lower end carries a tubular portion 42 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 44 which extends the full length of the control as- .sembly 28. A plurality of similar code bar members 26 and associated operating means are provided and portions of the upper surface of each code bar member are visible through the openings which define the coded areas 20 and 22. When the code bar members 26 are in their rightward positions (FIG. 1), the black body portions 30 thereof are visible through the openings 20 and 22, and when the operating member 38 for one or more of the code bars 26 are moved to their leftward position, see the first coding position in FIG. 3, the white or colored areas 32 and 34 of those particular code bars 26, instead of the body portions, will be visible in the openings. Any number of similar code bar positions can be provided depending on the amount of information needed to identify the particular images being photographed. When an image including the adjacent coded areas is photographed, the coded areas will show up as black and white areas on the film and these areas will be accurately located on the film so that they can be sensed by automatic sensing means. All of the code bar members 26 shown in the right or inoperative positions will appear as black areas on the film and all of the code bars that have been moved to the left (FIG. 3) or to their operative positions will appear as White areas. The locations of the coded areas on the film will be the same for each image photographed and will not change if the position of the camera means empolyed remains fixed relative to the subject coding means. It is there-fore important to maintain the camera means fixed relative to the chassis 14 at all times at least while photographing all images on the same film. To code an image under these conditions it is only necessary to properly position the various code bar member 26, and this can 'be done quickly and easily with little or no training, and the same code bars can be used repeatedly. The code members can also be quickly reset to an all black or all white condition as desired after each image is photographed by simply moving all of the operator members 38 to the same end positions.

FIGS. 410 show a modified embodiment 50 of the subject device which includes a chassis 52 similar to the chassis 14 in FIG. 1. The modified construction 50 operates similarly to the construction described above, but differs therefrom primarily because it includes a keyboard 54 with a plurality of keys 56 that control the operation of respective code bars 58. Referring to FIG. it can be seen that each code bar assembly includes solenoid means which are selectively energizable in response to actuation of corresponding keys 56 on the keyboard 54. The circuit for the modified construction 50 is shown in FIG. 9 and includes keyboard switches S1-S25 which control corresponding solenoid coils L1L25 which in turn control corresponding code bars. One of the solenoid coils Ll-L25 is connected in series with each of the. keyboard switches as shown. The circiut power supply includes a transformer 59 which has its primary winding connected to an energy source through switch 60 and fuse 62. The transformer secondary winding is grounded on one side and has its opposite side connected through a rectifier 64 to one sideof each of the solenoid coils in the circuit. A voltage stablizing capacitor 66 is also connected between the outlet side of the rectifier 64 and ground to maintain the output voltage relatively constant, and a resistor 68 is connected between the transformer output and ground to reduce or eliminate arcing at the switches when they are activated.

FIG. 5 shows the operating mechanism associated with two adjacent code bar members 70 and 72 in the modified structure 50. The code bar member 70 is shown in its activated or leftward position and the code bar member 72 is shown in its deactivated position. The code member 70 is connected to an armature rod assembly 74 which extends through solenoid assembly 76, and the member 72 is connected to armature rod assembly 78 which extends through solenoid assembly 80. The assemblies 76 and 80 are similar in construction, each including one of the solenoid coils L1-L25. It should be noted, however, that the activated position of a code member is not the position it assumes while its solenoid assembly is energized but instead is the position in which it is held by a latch pawl 82 after its solenoid is deenergized after having been energized. During the time while the solenoid is energized the code bar 70 is moved to its leftmost position (FIG. 7) and in this position clearance is provided for the latch pawl 82 to fall in behind the code bar and prevent it from being restored when the key is released and the solenoid deenergized. In the latched position of the code member 70 the coded areas 84 are exposed in registration with the openings in the top panel of the chassis 52.

The solenoid assembly 80 associated with code bar 72 in FIG. 5 is shown in its deenergized condition with the body portions of the code member 72 registered with the chassis openings. As already mentioned, the solenoids 7'6 and 80 are preferably energized only during the times when the corresponding keys 56 on the keyboard assembly 54 are depressed, and the solenoids are preferably constructed to be self-restoring. It is also highly desirably to have the coded areas of the code bars accurately constructed and located thereon, and the construction and location of the pawls 82 is also important to maintain the code members in proper registration with the chassis openings when in their coded positions.

After an image including the coding therefor is exposed to a film, the code members are restored to their deactivated positions in preparation for coding the next rmage to be photographed. This is accomplished in the modified structure 50 by pressing a reset key 88 on the key board. The reset key energizes a reset solenoid assembly 90 (FIG. 5) which includes an armature 92 pivotally connected at one end to the free end of a crank arm 94 fixedly attached to a shaft 96. Add the latch pawls 82 for the various code positions are pivotally mounted on the shaft 96, and when the reset solenoid assembly 90 is energized it operates to rotate the shaft 96 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 5. In so doing, all of the pawls 82 are simultaneously raised to positions spaced above the associated code members thereby releasing the code members so that the self-restoring means in their solenoid assemblies will restore them to their inoperative positions in preparation for coding the next image to be photographed.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the inoperative or decoded position of one of the code members in the modified structure. FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the same code member in the position it assumes while its solenoid means are energized and before the associated key is released. Note: as aforesaid, that in this position clearance is provided to enable the pawl 82 to drop in behind the code member to prevent it from being restored when the key is released. FIG. 8 shows the restored position of the same code member and the raised position of the pawl 82 during the time when the reset key 88 is depressed and the reset solenoid 90 is energized.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the modified construction 50 showing the first and fourth code positions in coded condition with the white portions exposed and the other positions exposing the black body portions of their code member. FIG. 10 also shows the keyboard 54 including the main on-off switch 60 and the reset switch 88.

Thus there has been shown and described novel means for accurately coding photographic images such as images produced on microfilm and the like, which means fulfill all of the objects and advantages sought therefor including being relatively simple to operate, versatile and can be constructed to include as little or as much coded in- .formation as desired. The device can also be constructed to have one or more rows of coded information symbols as required, it can be constructed to have different arrangetrnents and placements of the coded information and it can be constructed using symbols of many different colors. The size, shape, spacing and locations of the coded areas and the code bars themselves can also be varied. Many other changes, modifications, alterations and other uses and applications of the subject device will also become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings automatically by retrieval means comprising a housing having a surface portion on which an object to be photographed is placed, coding means including a plurality of multi-color members each having colored portions separated by a different colored portion therebetween, means for exposing selected portions of each of said multi-color members on opposite sides of said surface portion, and means for selectively and individually moving said multicolor members between different selected operating positions to produce color coded images adjacent to the object. I

2. The means defined in claim 1 wherein each multicolor member has first and second operating positions, each multi-color member including two spaced portions of a first reproducably similar color and other portions of a second color reproducably different from said first color, only said first color on each member being exposed when said member is in one of its operating positions, said second color on each member being exposed when said member is in a different operating position.

3. The means defined in claim 1 wherein said moving means include manual mean operatively connected to each of said multi-color members.

4. The means defined in claim 1 wherein said moving means for each of said multi-color members includes an associated solenoid and means for selectively energizing said solenoids.

5. Means for coding images to be photographed comprising a housing having a surface on which an image to be photographed is positioned, means for identifying an image to be photographed including an opening formed in the housing adjacent to the surface on which the image is positioned, a plurality of adjacent movable members positioned in the housing such that a portion of each member is exposed through the housing opening, each of said members having at least two portions of different color, means for moving selected ones of said members relative to the opening to expose selected colored portions thereof in the opening, the exposed colors of said members identifying the image to be photographed, said means for moving selected ones of said members including a solenoid operatively connected to each of said members, means for selectively energizing said solenoid means, said solenoid means including means for moving selected members between a first position exposing a first one of said colored portions of said member through the housing opening and a second position exposing a different colored portion thereof through the opening, said solenoid means including means for restoring the associated members to preselected positions in the deenergized conditions thereof, and means including latching means to maintain individual moveable members in predetermined positions relative to the opening independent of the associated restoring means.

6. The means defined in claim 5 wherein said means for selectively energizing the solenoid means include a keyboard assembly having a key associated with each solenoid. v

7. Means for encoding photographic images of objects comprising a member having a surface portion on which the object to be photographed is positioned, coding means positioned adjacent to said surface portion including a plurality of adjacent code bars each code bar having two solid color portions thereon separated by a different solid color portion therebetween, means for exposing only one of said solid color portions on each of said code bars at a time, said exposing means including an opening in said surface portion through which the selected ones of said solid color portions on each of said code bars is exposed, and means located adjacent to one side edge of the surface portion for selectively moving each of said code bars between two alternate operating positions whereby selected ones of said solid color portions of each code bar are exposed, the exposed portions of said code bars producing a color coded photographically reproducable image adjacent to the object on said surface portion whose photographic image is to be encoded, said moving means for each code bar including operator means and means operatively connecting said operator means to the associated code bars for selectively moving and positioning said code bars in one of the two alternate operating positions relative to said opening, said opening exposing a different one of said two different solid color portions of each code bar in each position thereof, said operator means for moving and positioning the code bars in the said two operating positions including manual means.

8. Means for encoding photographic images of objects comprising a member having a surface portion on which the object to be photographed is positioned, coding means positioned adjacent to said surface portion including a plurality of adjacent code bars each code bar having two solid color portions thereon separated by a different solid color portion therebetween, means for exposing only one of said solid color portions on each of said code bars at a time, said exposing means including an opening in said surface portion through which the selected ones of said solid color portions on each of said code bars is exposed, and means located adjacent to one side edge of the surface portion for selectively moving each of said code bars between two alternate operating positions whereby selected ones of said solid color portions of each code bar are exposed, the exposed portions of said code bars producing a color coded photographically reproducable image adjacent to the object on said surface portion whose photographicimage is to be encoded, said moving means for each code bar including operator means and means operatively connecting said operator means to the associated code bar for selectively moving and positioning said code bars in one of the two alternate operating positions relative to said opening, said opening exposing a different one of said two different solid color portions of each bar in each position thereof, said means for moving and positioning the code bars in the said two operating positions including solenoid means and means for selectively energizing said solenoid means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,210,804 2/1917 Howland 951.l 1,821,466 9/1931 Grass 954.5 3,220,301 11/1965 Koonz et al. 8824 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner RICHARD M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 35540, 42 

